Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
NHTSA data on file today
The 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,152 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #02V293000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V268000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FUEL LEAKAGE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V216000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FUEL PUMP NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V185000 CHRYSLER/INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97I001000 CHRYSLER/INTEGRAL CHILD SEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V136000 Seat Belts — Integrated Child Seat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V002000 Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe and Cap NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V006000 CHRYSLER/ENGINE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95V236000 Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95V225000 Seats NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95I004000 Seat Belts — Integrated Child Seat NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 210 complaints
- Power Train 195 complaints
- Electrical System 190 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 168 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 167 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 123 complaints
Of the 1,152 complaints on file, 31 report a crash and 39 a fire; across all 1,152 complaints, owners report 41 injuries and 7 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan has significant reliability concerns, notably in its airbags, fuel system, and electrical systems, reflected by numerous recalls and complaints. The frequent issues with major systems lead to a below-average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| airbag system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $200–$600 | common |
| fuel system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $300–$900 | common |
| electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $150–$500 | common |
| engine cooling | 90,000–120,000 miles | $200–$750 | occasional |
| transmission | 100,000–130,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 3,000 miles
- Replace timing belt every 90,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 30,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- Cooling system flush every 36,000 miles
- Inspect belts and hoses annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Airbag warning light staying on
- Fuel smell in the cabin
- Electrical fuses frequently blowing
- Engine overheating signs
- Delayed or rough gear shifts
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.